Time to End MA State Legislature’s Exemption from Public Records Law
/0 Comments/in Better Government, Featured, Press Releases, Press Releases: Government, Transparency /by Editorial StaffThe purpose of transparency laws is to promote more effective, accountable and responsive government. Engaged citizens are essential for our form of government to thrive over the long-term. According to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, “the founding fathers of our nation strove to develop an open government formed on the principles of democracy and public participation. An informed citizen is better equipped to participate in the process.” Yet, despite this paramount need for the long-term health of the Commonwealth, our transparency laws remain deeply flawed.
The Public Records Law expressly states that the law “shall not apply to the records of the general court” Meaning the state legislature “exempted” itself from a most important law. Although the Supreme Judicial Court upheld the application of the legislature’s blanket exemption, it has never ruled specifically on the constitutionality of the provisions. We at Pioneer Institute believe the legislature’s exemption to this law is unconstitutional. The legislature’s exemption from public records law undermines the rights reserved to the people in the state Constitution and makes it impossible for citizens to uphold their end of the bargain by being engaged in the democratic process.
Read our Public Testimony, delivered by Mary Connaughton, Pioneer’s Director of Government Transparency, on May 4th, 2018 before the Special Legislative Commission on Public Records.
Recent Posts:

In The Era Of COVID-19, Mass. Needs To Get Long-Term Care Right

National Study Finds Most States Lack Healthcare Price Transparency Laws

Mapping COVID-19 in Massachusetts Cities & Towns

Transparency Needed at Long-term Care Facilities

Financial Disclosures – As Important Now as Ever

Sunshine Week 2020 – When Government Transparency Is More Important Than Ever

New Video Highlights Need for Greater Access to Public Officials’ Financial Ties

In the past few years, the tobacco industry has thrived in Massachusetts. Here’s why.

Pioneer Institute’s Government Transparency Resolutions 2020

Survey: MA Least Transparent State at Making State Official Financial Disclosures Public

Pioneer Institute Announces New Economics Data Tool: MassEconomix

Study Finds Revived Merit Rating Board Taking Steps to Carry Out Statutorily Mandated Duties

MassAnalysis: Highest income towns per capita within average debt range or higher

Signs of Growth in Several Gateway Cities

How Do Massachusetts’s State Pensions Compare with Their Peers?

No Clear Correlation Between Fare Revenue and Ridership

The Chancellor at this University Makes about 18.5 Times what an Average Employee at this Same University Makes…
